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May 5, 2008

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Don Sutton Helps Kidney Cancer Patients Stay In The Game(TM)

by Sam Savage

NEW YORK, May 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the increasing incidence of kidney cancer in the United States,(1) Major League Baseball (MLB) Hall-of-Fame pitcher and advanced kidney cancer survivor, Don Sutton, has teamed up with the Kidney Cancer Association, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and Onyx Pharmaceuticals to launch the Stay In The Game(TM) kidney cancer awareness program. Stay In The Game is an educational program that empowers people affected by kidney cancer to seek support, resources and information that can help them build and stay with a treatment plan. Over the past few years, new therapies have transformed the treatment of kidney cancer, allowing patients to manage their disease more effectively.

Stay In The Game is inspired by Don Sutton's personal quest to continue leading a productive life as an advanced kidney cancer survivor. Stay In The Game provides educational materials, an informational Web site (http://www.stayingame.com/) and personal appearances by Don to support and provide inspiration to patients and their loved ones. The program encourages kidney cancer patients to take a team approach by working closely with their healthcare professionals and loved ones to understand the latest treatment options and stick with a treatment plan to successfully fight their disease.

"Being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming and scary," said Don. "As an advanced kidney cancer survivor, I've learned to stay positive, confident and persistent with my treatment plan, which has helped me manage my disease. Through Stay In The Game, I'm hoping to encourage other kidney cancer patients to take charge by finding the right support team and talking to their doctors about which treatment options are right for them."

As an individual living with advanced kidney cancer, Don credits maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the knowledge of his healthcare team, cutting-edge medicine and the support of his family and friends for allowing him to continue to do the things he enjoys.

"Don's story can inspire other kidney cancer patients and their loved ones to understand that today, more than ever, many people can stay in the game even with this diagnosis," said Bill Bro, Chief Executive Officer, Kidney Cancer Association. "This program offers necessary and valuable support that helps families understand their treatment options and identify a team that can help them navigate the road ahead and stay on track with their individual treatment plan."

There are approximately 208,000 people living with kidney cancer worldwide including 37,000 Americans. Each year more than 100,000 people globally, including 12,500 Americans, will die from the disease.(2) It is estimated that in 2008 there will be 54,390 new cases of kidney cancer in the United States.(3) Kidney cancer has been difficult to treat, however, new targeted cancer therapies have emerged that have changed the way physicians are able to manage advanced kidney cancer.

More information about the campaign -- including resources on kidney cancer, details about Don and information about Don's local appearances -- can be found by visiting http://www.stayingame.com/.

About Stay In The Game(TM)

Stay In The Game(TM) is an awareness program designed to provide kidney cancer patients and their loved ones with information and resources to help them more effectively manage their disease. Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer and advanced kidney cancer survivor, Don Sutton, serves as the national spokesperson for the program. Don and Keith Flaherty, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, will kick off the program in New York. The program also includes appearances in Los Angeles and Atlanta, at MLB stadiums, where Don will speak about the campaign and honor kidney cancer patients and their families. For more information please visit http://www.stayingame.com/.

About Don Sutton

Don Sutton is a 63-year-old MLB Hall-of-Famer who is living with advanced kidney cancer. Don is sharing his story through the Stay In The Game program in order to provide inspiration and encouragement for others touched by the disease.

Don had a 23-year long MLB career and served as a pitcher for a number of teams, most notably for the Los Angeles Dodgers where he played for most of his career. He's recognized for control, consistency and commitment -- during his career, he never missed a game due to injury or illness. Don won a total of 324 games in his career and ranks eighth on baseball's all-time strike out list. Don went to the World Series four times and is a four-time all-star player. He was elected into the Baseball Hall-of-Fame in 1998.

Don credits maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the support of his healthcare professionals and loved ones and cutting-edge medicine for allowing him to continue to lead a productive life. Don now works as a sports broadcaster for the Washington Nationals and lives in California with his wife and family.

About the Kidney Cancer Association

The Kidney Cancer Association is a global charitable organization supported by patients, family members, friends, physicians and other health professionals. It was founded in Chicago in 1990 by Eugene P. Schonfeld, PhD., a small group of patients, and their doctor. The Association funds, promotes, and collaborates with the National Cancer Institute, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Urological Association, and other institutions and organizations on research projects. Its mission also includes patient and physician education and advocating on behalf of patient interests at the state and federal levels.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 54,000 new cases of kidney cancer in the United States and about 13,000 people will die from this disease. Kidney cancer is among the 10 most common cancers, affecting men more frequently than women. The incidence of kidney cancer has been rising slowly since the 1970s and death rates have remained fairly stable since the 1980s.

The Kidney Cancer Association has been designated as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code. Donations to the Association are tax deductible. If you would like to learn more about this disease or to get involved please visit http://www.kidneycancer.org/ or call 1 (800) 516-8051.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals unit of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a division of Bayer AG. One of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. In the U.S., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, Specialized Therapeutics, Hematology/Cardiology and Oncology. The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

About Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to improving the lives of people with cancer by changing the way cancer is treated(TM). The company, in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is developing and marketing Nexavar(R), a small molecule drug. Nexavar is currently approved for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and liver cancer. Additionally, Nexavar is being investigated in several ongoing trials in non-small cell lung, melanoma and breast cancers. For more information about Onyx, visit the company's website at: http://www.onyx-pharm.com/.